Survey Of Home Power Use

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32391, 2 September 1970, Page 18

Survey Of Home Power Use

A New Zealand-wide survey of the use of electricity in households is being made by the Department of Statistics on behalf of the New Zealand Electricity Department and local supply authorities. The survey, which will begin on October 1, will cover a representative sample of 2000 households, and will last for 18 months.

A number of special meters, to record separately the consumption for cooking, water-heating, space-heating, and other purposes, will be placed on the switchboards of the houses chosen, once the owner has g'ven consent. Circulars have been sent out to selected consumers, and many have already been interviewed by officers of the Statistics and Electricity departments. The aim of the survey is to assist with accurate forecasting of future demands, the Government Statistician (Mr J. P. Lewin) said in a circular sent to the selected consumers. At present there is no accurate information available on the relative consumption of the various uses to which electricity is put in the home.

Those who agree to participate are asked to fill in a

questionnaire dealing with factors affecting use of power in the home, and the meters installed will be read separately from the existing revenue meter at two-monthly intervals. The survey will embrace 320 consumers in Christchurch, said a spokesman for the Department of Statistics in Christchurch. The homes selected were at random, but were representative of high, low, and medium consumptions.

People had been very cooperative and friendly about the survey, the spokesman said.

The department will analyse the findings into figures showing seasonal variations, high and low peaks, and other information required by the Electricity DeI partment.